Thyatira
Presbyterian
Church
“We will share the blessing of God’s love with joyful hearts, praising voices, open arms, and serving hands.”
About Us
Parking
It’s OK to park on the grass!
Park anywhere you like as long as your are not blocking someone else in.
Seating
You can sit wherever you like. There's no assigned seating.
Bulletins and Sermons
At Thyatira, we try to make our worship as accessible as possible to all backgrounds and ages. You’ll find our bulletins and sermons by clicking the links below.
Finding Us
Thyatira is conveniently located in the community of Millbridge, equidistant from Salisbury, Mooresville, and China Grove near the corner of NC 150 and White Road.
You can find us using your favorite GPS app at
220 White Road
Salisbury NC 28147
Children
All children are encouraged to remain in worship until after the Time with Young Disciples., then our youngest children will be escorted to the nursery for the remainder of worship.
We have a nursery for the youngest who may have a hard time sitting still for an hour. The Nursery is located on the first floor of the educational building and is available during worship for infants and very young children.
Our church takes the safety of your children with great seriousness. All of our volunteers and staff who work with children have been subject to a criminal background check.
Ministries
Preschool
Thyatira is pleased to offer an excellent, nurturing half-day preschool for children ages two, three, and four.
For nearly two decades, our preschool has served the children of our community by providing experienced and professional staff, excellent facilities, and the support of the entire church. Children attending Thyatira’s preschool grow socially and academically in preparation to attend elementary school, and equally important, in their faith.
Thyatira Preschool offers a 5 day a week program for three and four-year-olds and a 3-day-a-week program for two-year-olds (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). With a school calendar loosely following the Rowan Salisbury School System district calendar, our school year starts immediately following Labor Day and runs through the middle of May.
For more information, please contact the church office at 704-636-1595.
We are pleased to offer an online option for paying tuition and registration fee. Click here to access our Preschool Payments page.
Open registration for our 2 year old class this Fall 2024-2025 is now open! 3 year old and 4 year old classes are currently full.
Special Events
homecoming
2024
TPC Homecoming
August 11, 2024
Meet our Staff & Leadership
Interim Pastor
Rev. David Smith
Music Director
Charlie Chandler
Office Manager
Sharon Archer
Get in touch
Main Office
220 White Road
Salisbury NC 28147
Church Office Hours
Monday 9:00am-1:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am-1:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-1:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-1:00pm
Friday 9:00am-1:00pm
**To schedule a tour of our History Museum, please email or call the Church Office.**
History of Thyatira...
Thyatira is one of the oldest Presbyterian congregations in North Carolina and believed to be the oldest Presbyterian Church west of the Yadkin River. We were organized by 1750 and a land entry dated 1750 in Anson County records reveals that a “Meeting House and burial ground” were in existence before that date, likely as early as 1747. The land was formally deeded to the congregation in 1753. For many years it was known as “Cathy’s Meeting House” and then “The Lower Meeting House”. The name Thyatira was not used until after the American Revolution since only the established Church of England could call themselves a “church”. There have been four Houses of Worship in our history. Our present beautiful Gothic-Revival sanctuary, noted for its elaborate brick work, was completed in 1860. Some of the 1860 pulpit furniture is still in use today!
Thyatira’s first permanent pastor was Samuel Eusebius McCorkle, a son of the congregation, he was ordained and installed in 1777. He was a graduate of Princeton University and a founder of what became the University of North Carolina. McCorkle was one of 40 original trustees and Thyatira was the only congregation to contribute financially to the University. It was the first state school in the nation when it opened in 1794. Rev. Dr. McCorkle served Thyatira from 1777 to 1811.
Our Historic Cemetery held burials here by 1750, with the earliest surviving grave marker being of John Nesbit, in 1755. The cemetery contains the resting place of a descendant of John Knox (ca 1513-1572) who established the Presbyterian Church in Scotland. We also have war veterans from each war beginning with the French & Indian War and on. Other notable graves in our cemetery belong to the great grandparents of one US President, President James Knox Polk and the ancestors of two Vice Presidents. Plus, a Civil War Surgeon, a US Congressman, and as legend has it, four pirates (look for the skull and cross bones!) Visitors are always welcome during daylight hours.
The Thyatira Museum was built in 1980. The Museum houses a delightful array of church records, photos, and antiques. The congregation also owns the pre-1780 portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte with a note on the back written by Nathanael Greene, American Revolutionary War general. The Museum is open by appointment and during Thyatira’s Homecoming each year. To learn more about Thyatira’s history, read Walter Lingle’s account of our history, available on Amazon.
Another important aspect of our rich history is our focus on service. Over the years, Thyatira has sent many sons and daughters out as teachers, missionaries, and pastors to educate and serve in a variety of ways. The Mwandi Mission in Zambia, Africa, initiated our first-ever mission project outside of our local area, in support of the Mwandi Mission Hospital in the bush village of Mwandi, Zambia. The hospital is owned and operated by the United Church of Zambia, a sister denomination to the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The project began as a challenge to bring electricity to the hospital, which was accomplished in 1992. By then other needs of the community were identified and addressed. Other Presbyterian congregations were drawn into the now on-going project and, over the years, a variety of main hospital buildings, staff houses, a chapel, and a Mission House have been constructed. Vehicles and missionary support staff have also been provided.
The Mwandi project has been responsible for recruiting, training, and sending more than a hundred short-term mission teams to the hospital community. These teams provide medical and surgical service to the hospital, educational assistance to the Mission School, and support for the United Church of Zambia congregation in the community. Through a broad-based coalition of Presbyterian congregations under the leadership of a Board of Directors, the project continues to provide financial support to Mwandi.
Music
Ministering to the congregation and praising God through music, the music ministry at Thyatira has a rich history and many long-standing traditions .
Our Adult Choir is led and accompanied by Neil Mitchell. This choir leads music for our 11 a.m. Sunday service, as well as special services and programs throughout the year. The Adult Choir provides an opportunity to share our musical gifts to the glory of God and to grow in faith and musicality.
Our Children’s Choir, “Millicent’s Kids” is led by Millicent Hoffner. Practice begins at 9:30 on Sunday Mornings (for 1st through 5th grades). The younger choir (toddler to kindergarten) meets at 9:50 on Sunday mornings. The Children’s choir shares their talents for special services and programs throughout the year and consistently makes joyful noises unto the Lord.
Sunday School
Christian Education is an important part of Thyatira’s history of faith unfolding. We have Sunday School for all ages.
Nursery through Pre-teen classes meet upstairs in the Educational Building. Classes are geared to age levels, and teachers use various learning strategies during lessons.
Pre-teen Class serves 4th - 7th-grade children and uses a Pre-teen Ministries curriculum. This curriculum is designed to help this age group explore their faith by asking questions and building habits of prayer, worship, and especially their relationship with Jesus.
Teen Youth Class meets Sunday mornings in the Youth Annex and participates in multiple events throughout the year. The group focuses on faith formation, community, service, and Bible Study.
Adults can choose from three standing Sunday School classes. These groups are always open to new participants.
The Newsome Class was originally the Young Adult Class when founded in the 1980s! This class meets in the Conference Room and adults of any age are invited. The primary source of material for discussion comes from Scripture, which is approached without study guides.
The Friendship Class meets in the Parlor each Sunday. These adults have lively discussions about the Bible and use material found in The Present Word as their guide.
The Coffee and Cards Adult class meets in the Fellowship Hall for prayer and encouragement to others through their card ministry. Cards are sent to individuals or groups who need a special touch. All adults are welcome.
Youth
Recognizing the many ways Middle School and High School youth are active, our Youth program focuses on Sunday morning meetings as well as activities such as service projects and recreational outings.
Our young people are active participants in the overall life of the church, including music programs, Vacation Bible School, worship, meal hosting and fundraising.
For more information, please contact the church office at 704-636-1595.
Scouts
Thyatira sponsors a local Scouting organization, Boy Scout Troop 476 . Scouting has long held religious faith as a key element of preparing young people for a life of service, and we are proud to support our troop .
For more information, please contact the church office at 704-636-1595.
Community
I Thessalonians 5:11 encourages us:
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Thyatira is an active part of our community. We understand the need for and importance of support and building one another up in the Word of God. Thyatirans support one another and the local community in a variety of ways. Our members are involved in various local civic organizations and schools and look out for our neighbors.
The Women of the Church meet every third Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall for fellowship, study, prayer, and service. All women are invited to grow in faith together as we serve others through local outreach and local ministries.
The Men of the Church meet the first Sunday of the month at 8:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for breakfast, fellowship, and a brief devotion. The Men serve at Rowan Helping Ministries, and in other local outreach and work projects. All men are invited.
VBS
Vacation Bible School is offered during the summer, usually in June. VBS is for children 4 years old through rising 6th grade. Activities include Bible study, music, recreation, snacks, and fellowship for our young disciples.
Health Initiative
Thyatira understands the importance of keeping the community healthy in mind, body, and spirit. Through the work of our Health Initiative, the healing ministry of Christ is brought to life.
Understanding that prevention through education is a key component, our Health promoters educate the congregation through articles, learning sessions, and promotion of community Health events.
Rowan Helping Ministries
Members of the West Rowan community came to Rowan Helping Ministries to express their concern for people in need in the West Rowan area. As a result, Rowan Helping Ministries and the West Rowan community have partnered to provide many of the same services that Rowan Helping Ministries offers to citizens in need, including a food pantry and a listening ear.
Call the Church Office for a list of current pantry needs.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels Rowan provides nutritious meals and more to homebound seniors in Rowan County so they can maintain their independence and continue to age in the comfort of their own homes. Thyatira volunteers support Meals on Wheels Rowan by delivering meals and providing a safety check and friendly greeting.
CareWear
Careware is a nationwide non-profit organization. Former Hood College professor, Bonnie Hagerman, founder and president, formed Carewear out of her home to support the local community. Her initial focus was primarily exquisite infant burial gowns given to grieving parents at local hospitals. Today Carewear encompasses hundreds of volunteers across America serving their local communities. Handknit, crocheted, or sewn items now include infant care items as well as hospital/nursing home aids for older children and adults. ALL items are made with love and are gifted to recipients.
Thyatira’s charter formed in 1992. Our donations are tagged with a Carewear label stating the Thyatira chapter and the name of the person who made the item. We have supplied hundreds of items to Presbyterian Hospital’s NICU and Hemby Children’s Hospital. We have also donated items to hospitals in Mwandi, Zambia and the Presbyterian hospital in Rio Verde, Brazil.
Thyatira has expanded its outreach to our own members as part of our congregational care ministry. Home-bound, nursing home or rehab patients, people in extended care facilities, and folks facing an illness or surgery receive a handmade blanket from us, as do all newborn babies.
The Careware team meets occasionally as a group with the majority of items made at home. We welcome anyone to come join us who is willing and able. We provide any instruction needed as well as supplies.